Health impacts both health and productivity The Oxford study on physical activity earlier this year has pointed to the fact that being obese increases the risk of diabetes. The physical activity levels of the individuals that came forward did not mirror the rate of diabetes among the general population. Also note that findings show that the increase in BMI was offset by time spent exercising, shows a link with behaviours rather than genes. Moreover, a team of researches recently showed that physical activity improved quality of life for people with diabetes. In addition, we just marked the 4th anniversary of the “World Health Organization” (WHO) landmark report on the global obesity crisis. The report reaffirmed that countries must not only find solutions to physical inactivity but also address social and economic issues in order to reduce the prevalence of the disease. But what is obesity? It is when the body’s fats accumulate in various parts of the body. The higher the density of fat accumulation in the body, the greater the risks of diabetes, cardiovascular disease and some cancers. This is why physical activity is so important. More on factors that contribute to obesity Excess weight that is overweight is not only a burden on the adipose tissue, but can also cause cardiovascular disease (CVD), stroke, kidney disease, type II diabetes, and type III diabetes (Itondone et al, 2012). The study also included data on the incidence of different diseases. But more on things that contribute to obesity Of all these diseases, type 2 diabetes is the most common type and is what leads to most of the deaths in adults with obesity. In Europe today, roughly 25 percent of the population is overweight and approximately 42 percent of that is obese. But beyond the direct health impacts, is obesity also psychologically impacting an individual? There are several ways we could impact someone’s life. Obesity negatively affects the psychological health of an individual, a mental illness. A study showed that stress among the children of obese parents can lead to depressed mood, impaired school performance, and other depression symptoms. That’s why physical activity levels are an important factor. But of course the stress, the BMI, even the risk of the diseases it carries, are all necessary conditions for change In summary, I think that all four conditions are necessary conditions for change in the battle against obesity. It’s clear that physical activity is important, but it’s equally clear that improved education, lifestyle changes and other factors — including social norms — are necessary and could create a more sustainable way to achieve a healthy lifestyle. One thing is for sure — social actions can create a more positive message on physical activity and encourage people to change their lifestyles.
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